New Reports Show Immigrants' Contributions to Texas’ Healthcare, Construction, and Energy Industries

The reports were released in collaboration with the Greater Houston Partnership, Amegy Bank, Texas Association of Business, and Texans for Economic Growth at Empowering Texas: Immigrants’ Contributions to the Texas Workforce, a regional event to showcase the reports and discuss the impact of immigration on Texas’ economy and workforce with local leaders. The September 9 event featured a discussion with business and civic leaders about how Texas can lead on this topic.  

In 2022, over 5 million immigrants called the Lone Star State home, making up 17.2 percent of the state’s total population. Immigrants in Texas help bolster the state’s workforce in critical industries, bringing multicultural perspectives, multilingual skills, and talent across the skills spectrum.   

“Texas’ economy thrives on immigrant communities’ hard work and talent. Across industries, whether in healthcare, construction, or energy, immigrants are essential to meeting workforce demands and driving innovation. In 2022, immigrants made up a staggering 40 percent of Texas’ construction workforce, nearly 20 percent of healthcare employees, and 20 percent of the energy sector, demonstrating their critical role in building and maintaining our infrastructure and providing quality care,” says Chelsie Kramer, Texas State Organizer, American Immigration Council. “As Texas grows, it’s clear we must adopt commonsense policies that support immigrant workers, ensuring they have the resources, legal protections, and opportunities to continue their invaluable contributions to our state.”  

"Immigrants are key to sustaining Texas' healthcare workforce, and infuse it with vital skills and perspectives that help drive innovation and quality care," says Esmaeil Porsa, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Harris Health. "Their contributions are essential, and ensure that our state's medical workforce remains resilient, responsive and able to meet the growing needs of our state."  

"The future of housing attainability in our region depends on a consistent and reliable flow of entrepreneurs and workers,” says Matthew Reibenstein, President, Greater Houston Builders Association. “We need a skilled, entrepreneurially spirited workforce within our community, and the immigrant workforce has long played a vital role in meeting housing demands as skilled craftsmen, laborers, and contractors in the home building industry.”  

“NABTU's culture and fundamental values are not just individual traits, but collective bonds that unite us as the world’s finest, and safest skilled craft professionals,” says Paul Puente, Executive Secretary, Houston Gulf Coast Building & Construction Trades Council. “The Houston Gulf Coast Council Region is one of the best examples of skilled professionals' contribution to stronger communities, productive industries, and a healthier and more prosperous nation, irrespective of where they come from.” 

“The 12-county greater Houston region is one of the nation's largest and most dynamic business hubs, thanks to our diverse and robust economy. With over one million foreign-born workers, Houston is a beacon of opportunity for those seeking a new life,” says Taylor Landin, EVP & Chief Policy Officer, Greater Houston Partnership. “As we strive to improve our nation's immigration system, it is crucial to highlight and understand the significant contributions of immigrant workers to Houston’s prosperity.” 

"The data is undeniable: immigrants are essential to several key industries in Texas, contributing significantly to key sectors such as healthcare, construction, and energy. In 2022, immigrant workers comprised 20 percent of the energy sector, 40 percent of the construction workforce, and nearly 20 percent of healthcare employees while comprising only 17.2 percent of the Texas population. Their labor force participation is equally impressive— Texas immigrants had a labor force participation rate of over 75 percent, further demonstrating that immigrants are an integral part of the Texas miracle,” says Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business. “As Texas grows, we must support legal pathways reflective of our state’s workforce needs. We need immigration policies that foster innovation and allow us to adjust and ensure that every Texan—immigrant or U.S.-born—has the opportunity to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.” 

Key findings:  

• Empowering Texas: Immigrants’ Contributions to the Healthcare Industry: Immigrants will help the state’s healthcare industry meet future needs. From 2018 to 2023, there were 3.3 million unique job postings in the healthcare industry in Texas. At the same time, 4.6 percent of all job postings in the healthcare industry prioritized bilingual skills. Immigrants across the skills spectrum are prepared to meet that demand.  

• Empowering Texas: Immigrants’ Contributions to the Construction Industry: Immigrants in Texas foster innovation in the construction industry. In 2022, despite making up 17.2 percent of the state’s total population, immigrants comprised 40.0 percent of all employees in the construction industry, including 39.7 percent of all entrepreneurs in the industry.  

• Empowering Texas: Immigrants’ Contributions to the Energy Industry: Immigrants bolster the state’s energy labor force. In 2022, despite making up 17.2 percent of the state’s total population, immigrants made up 32.5 percent of workers in petroleum, mining, and geological engineers, including mining and safety engineers, and 25.9 percent of other extraction workers.   

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About the American Immigration Council  

The American Immigration Council (the Council) works to strengthen America by shaping how America thinks about and acts towards immigration and immigrants and by working toward a more fair and just immigration system that opens its doors to those in need of protection and unleashes the energy and skills that immigrants bring. The Council brings together problem solvers and employs four coordinated approaches to advance change—litigation, research, legislative and administrative advocacy, and communications. In January 2022, the Council and New American Economy merged to combine a broad suite of advocacy tools to better expand and protect immigrants' rights, ensure immigrants’ ability to succeed economically, and help make the communities they settle in more welcoming. Follow the latest Council news and information on ImmigrationImpact.com and X @immcouncil.    

About Texans for Economic Growth  

Texans for Economic Growth is a coalition of more than 145 Texas business leaders and associations dedicated to recognizing and supporting immigrants' positive impact on the Texas economy as business owners, taxpayers, and consumers. With its launch on February 26, 2019, the coalition released the Texas Compact on Immigration, a set of principles signed by more than 145 Texas business leaders and groups to guide the immigration discussion at the state and federal levels. Texans for Economic Growth supports common-sense federal immigration reforms and statewide policies that recognize immigrants' valuable contributions to the state. Learn more at txcompact.org.  

About Harris Health 

Established in 1966, Harris Health System is the public healthcare safety-net provider serving the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients. Harris Health is a recognized leader for its trauma, cardiology, stroke, neonatology and community healthcare services, among others. Harris Health plays a vital role in helping train the next generation of healthcare professionals using evidence-based research and the latest medical procedures and technological breakthroughs. 

About Greater Houston Builders Association 

Chartered in 1941, the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) proudly represents all aspects of the residential building industry in the greater Houston area. GHBA is a trade organization whose members are involved in the development, homebuilding, and remodeling industry in 11 counties—Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Waller, Liberty, Wharton, Galveston, Matagorda, Austin and Colorado counties. GHBA is the voice of Houston’s residential construction industry, serving our members and the community by education and advocating professionalism and quality housing. 

About Houston Gulf Coast Building & Construction Trades Council 

Started in 1969, the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council works to organize all departments of labor engaged in the construction industry, either in repair, alteration, or demolition, into one compact body.  The groups work to encourage and maintain fraternal relationships with existing, recognized central bodies. They strive to see to it that there is an equitable adjustment of all disciplines between employers and employed. 

About Amegy Bank 

Founded in 1990, Amegy Bank is a full-service financial institution that puts relationships at the center of their work. Amegy works and collaborates with clients to help grow their businesses, committing not only to their banking needs but also to help guide them as they transition their business to the next generation. Through the “Community Bank Partnership,” Amegy bankers offer personalized solutions to clients by having a 360-degree view of their business and family financial needs. With banking centers across Texas — in Houston, Central Texas, and Dallas-Fort Worth regions, Amegy understands the spirit and personality of our communities, industries, and local economies. 

About Greater Houston Partnership 

With roots dating back to 1840, the Greater Houston Partnership as it exists today was formed in 1989 in a merger of the Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce, the Houston Economic Development Council and the Houston World Trade Association. The Partnership is a gathering place for community-minded business leaders who want to be involved in Houston's positive growth and influence our economic trajectory. Through the dedicated efforts of the Partnership’s members, the Partnership addresses Houston's unique challenges, and champions the growth and success of our region 

About Texas Association of Business 

The Texas Association of Business (TAB) is the Texas State Chamber of Commerce and the State affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. TAB represents over 1,500 companies of all sizes and industries, and more than 200 local chambers. As a bipartisan organization, TAB is dedicated to protecting Texas' pro-business climate and addressing challenges faced by employers. Our purpose is to champion the best business climate in the world, unleashing the power of free enterprise to enhance lives for generations.